Central cord injury: pathophysiology, management, and outcomes.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Cervical spinal trauma can result in a heterogeneous collection of spinal cord injury syndromes. Acute traumatic central cord syndrome is a common category of which no uniform consensus on the etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment exists.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and review potential pathophysiology, current treatment options, and management of central cord injuries.

STUDY DESIGN: Comprehensive literature review and clinical experience.

METHODS: A systematic review of Medline for articles related to central cord and spinal cord injury was conducted up to and including journal articles published in September 2005.

CONCLUSIONS: Central cord injuries is a clinical definition which is composed of a heterogeneous population for which medical management and surgical decompression and stabilization provide improved neurologic recovery.